About

$14,156

pledged of $10,000 goal

216

backers

Rewards update! Please check the Updates section! [11/27/13]

My name is Connie Lim and I’m a fashion illustrator and designer. I started illustration back in 2006 in the early days of my time at Art Center Pasadena, where I attended a fashion illustration class and fell in love. I am fascinated by fashion, and it was through the class that I started my Fashion Playing Cards project. In working on the series, I found an outlet to both express and evoke emotions through my drawings, which had up to then seemed little more than the sum of individual lines on a page. The impact of that realization meant the project never left the back of my mind, even as my studies and then freelance work took me away from completing what I had started. But having stepped back from it and grown as an artist in the past few years, completing the cards has become an apt parallel for my journey as an illustrator: the changing drawings encapsulate how my technique and perspective have evolved. Unfinished drawings ask to be finished. Similarly, I am drawn to the need to finish this series, to conclude the chapter of my life it helped launch so many years ago.

I’m heavily influenced by fashion, but I also try to incorporate all the vibrant details of what I see in the world around me. And as a life-drawing tutor, I find much beauty in female features (curves, lines, and fluidity) and apply gestures, emotions, and textures using my favorite gouache, micron pens, inks, and watercolors. More of the cards can be seen on my website in greater detail. www.connielim.com

The simple yet unique card back will be spot UV ink on black.

Based on the number and the feel of the suits, I drew totem pole-inspired portraits aided by the fluid movement of the hair. Each face possesses emotions such as contentment, thoughtfulness, serenity, happiness, and a bit of calm.

I'm almost done with the whole deck, just 10 more to go. They will be finished before this campaign ends.

Note: The deck is primarily art-focused. Although functional, the cards are still mainly a vehicle to convey the illustrations (apologies to all die-hard card collectors and aficionados -- though I'm learning so much about your beautiful world). Each illustration is based purely on my thoughts and feelings towards the suits and numbers. They are a personal reflection of my journey at the time of illustrating them, and I hope they can speak to you in some way as you are on yours.

My goal with this project is to create a beautiful deck of cards that is at once intensely personal and an accessible, shareable story. Each individual card is a different drawing that I created reflecting a time and period on my journey. The artwork is meant to be held, studied, exchanged and played with. Some say that a piece of art isn’t made real until it is put out into the world -- this work is a tangible telling of my story, intimately realized in the palm of your hand. The custom case will be a sleek, anodized, matte black metal specially designed for this deck.

Card box simulation.

Tuck Box Design

For your generous pledges, rewards include:

- A postcard with a surprise sneak-peek drawing from my next series.

- Art prints on high quality archival fine art giclee paper, smooth or textured watercolour rag, and signed by me.

- Tote bags!

- Original fashion sketches by me. Options will be sent out if successfully funded, and can be previewed below.

- The original card drawings signed and nicely packaged for you.

- Of course, the actual deck at a special Kickstarter price.

- Top reward means you get to request a personal drawing from me, which I am more than happy to do!

Below are the print & tote bag options

The
main goal of funding is to get the cards printed on the highest quality materials possible. It is expensive, as you need to order in mass quantities to get a
good price for each deck. Unforuntately, anything under 1,000 decks is significantly more expensive per-unit, so a large capital investment up front is required. As an independent artist, mass production is hard to do, but I am committed to getting the best quality prints.

The cards will be printed by the US PLAYING CARD COMPANY! Thanks to hardcore card fans for the heads up!

I am
also striving for a custom made metal casing to accompany the set (for that extra
special touch). A good friend (and talented artist) is designing the packaging materials but good
work and efforts need to be compensated. And of course, a portion goes to the
rewards!

Special Thanks to:

Shin, couldn’t have done this without you!

Roy and Ryan: Great advice and help!

KC Necro: Thank you for filming

Music: Adrift- Tycho (Shigeto Remix)

Pia, Wendy, Olive Lee & Fashionary and everyone else who gave me a kick up my backside to pursue this project.

Risks and challenges

I currently work as a freelance illustrator, which means I have to balance my time between personal projects and client projects. I have been working on and off on this for years, but now I need your help to get it done right. It is also my first time working directly with printing companies and the process is proving to be very expensive (especially a whole, customized deck). I don't want to cut corners on the printing process, as I would like the quality to match that of the details in the art. I expect everything to be shipped out by the end of March or the beginning of April. Thanks for your patience, and things will be updated accordingly!

Note: Designs may be subject to change slightly, but I will keep everyone updated!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $100 or more
About $100

The New Jack- $100 or more
The full on DECK of the fashion playing cards with the custom box. Canvas Tote bag from one of three card designs and a signed giclee print (8" x 11") of a card drawing (see options). Plus the ‘surprise’ postcard!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $250 or more
About $250

The New Queen - $250 or more
The full on DECK with the metal case, plus an original fashion sketch by me, just for you! Also, a signed giclee print (8" x 11") of a card drawing (see options). Plus, the 'surprise' post card!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $700 or more
About $700

The Ace - $700 or more
You will get an original fashion sketch by me and also the ORIGINAL artwork for the card signed by me and of course you will get the full on DECK of the fashion playing cards with the custom box. Plus, the ‘surprise’ postcard.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,000 or more
About $1,000

The FULL HOUSE - $1000 or more
Connie will draw you! Or whatever you take a fancy to. And you will receive the ORIGINAL artwork for the card signed and of course you will get the full on DECK of the fashion playing cards with the custom box. Also, included is the Canvas Tote bag from one of three card designs (see options), a Signed print (8" x 11") on archival fine art giclee paper of a card drawing (see options), plus the ‘surprise’ postcard.